Date/Time
Date(s) - 05/01/2026 - 05/09/2026
12:00 am

Add This to Your Calendar

Location
Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston

Categories

Cost:
Varied ticketing; Each ticket is subject to a $5 box office support fee at checkout USD
Contact Person:

Email:
info@matchouston.org
Website:
https://matchouston.org/events/2026/naji-al-ali-exhibition
Phone:
713-521-4533
Organization:
Palestinian American Cultural Center Houston

This exhibition is a tribute to artist Naji Al Ali, the creator of the iconic Handala, whose profound caricatures and commentary from the 1970’s and 1980’s are as relevant today as ever.

As the greatest Palestinian cartoonist, Naji Al Ali captured the essence of the Palestinian people as humans, citizens and refugees. His irrepressible voice resonates through his art which simply yet powerfully documents resilience and strength. His satirical messaging addressed the core issues plaguing the region, incredibly foreshadowing the tragic events of today.

FRIDAY, MAY 1 thru SATURDAY, MAY 9

GALLERY HOURS

FREE ADMISSION

12 PM to 9 PM
May 1 – May 8

12 PM to 7 PM
MAY 9

SPECIAL PROGRAMING

FRIDAY, MAY 1

OPENING NIGHT
7:00 PM
MATCH Gallery
Free Admission

Welcome Remarks
7:00 PM – 7:10 PM
Anan Qaddumi
President, Palestinian American Cultural Center (PACC)

Naji al Ali Lecture
7:10 PM – 7:40 PM
Dr. Fayeq Oweis
Palestinian American Artist & Educator

Hanzala Project Performance
8:00 PM – 8:40 PM
Hadi Eldebek/Brooklyn Nomads

SUNDAY, MAY 3

MATCH Gallery

Nakba Panel
Nakba survivors from 1948
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Moderated by Dr. Hana El Sahly
Free Admission

“Jesus as Metaphor in Naji al Ali Cartoon”
6:00 PM
Presentation by artist Nasser Soumi
Free Admission

TUESDAY, MAY 5 & WEDNESDAY, MAY 6

MATCH Gallery

Tatreez Workship
$30 Admission**

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Purchase tickets here: https://matchouston.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FRj000007kDvtMAE

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Purchase tickets here: https://matchouston.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FRj000007kDxVMAU

THURSDAY, MAY 7

MATCHBOX 2

FILM SCREENING
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
$25 Admission**

FILM LINEUP
Kafr Kassem — Directed by Borhane Alaouié
Eman (7:40 min) — Directed by Shahd Shahror
Mirrors (6:40 min) — Directed by Nour Baba and Chandler Pacheco

Purchase tickets here: https://matchouston.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FRj000007esGzMAI

FRIDAY, MAY 8

MATCHBOX 2

DOCUMENTARY SCREENING
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
$25 Admission**

FILM LINEUP
Naji al Ali – An Artist with Vision (53 min) — Directed by Kasim Abid
Surda Checkpoint (22 min) — Directed by Kasim Abid

Purchase tickets here: https://matchouston.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FRj000007etPxMAI

SATURDAY, MAY 9

MATCH Gallery

“The Role of Women in Naji al Ali’s Work”
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Presentation by Dr. Faiha Abdel Hadi
Free Admission

“Making Chilren’s Books That Matter”
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
A conversation between Javaka Steptoe and Hanan Awad
Free Admission

“Mapping Youth Responses to Naka Through Art & Culture”
4:00 PM – 6 PM
A Panel Discussion by the Palestinian Youth Movement-Houston
Free Admission

PLEASE NOTE:

**Each ticket is subject to a $5 box office support fee at checkout.

https://matchouston.org/events/2026/naji-al-ali-exhibition